The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, upon which the hope of the nation rests for fuel sufficiency is now 97 percent completed.
The refinery, with 650,000 barrels per-day installed capacity is expected to double the total output of Nigeria’s existing ailing refining infrastructure and meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products will pump out fuel any moment soon.
The NMDPRA made this disclosure in Abuja when representatives of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery visited it in Abuja to present the work plan for the facility for 2022/2023 as the regulatory agency for the sector.
The successful completion of Africa’s biggest petroleum refinery and the world’s largest single-train facility is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange through import substitution and substantial savings in earnings. It is expected, that once the refinery commences production, the pressure on the nation’s currency will reduce and significant inflow of forex, is expected to come in through sales from the refinery.
On completion of the refinery, it is estimated that Nigeria will import zero petroleum oil products – down from approximately $50 billion current oil product imports per year.
Chief executive of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, reiterated the importance of the Dangote petroleum Refinery to the country while assuring that the Authority will give all necessary support to ensure timely completion and kick-start operations.
Speaking on the refinery project, Group executive director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin said it (refinery) would stimulate economic development in Nigeria, adding that it can meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all liquid products (Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene and Aviation jet), and also have surplus of each of these products for export.
“The high volume of petrol output from the refinery would transform Nigeria from a petrol import-dependent country to an exporter of refined petroleum products,” he stated adding that the refinery would produce Euro-V quality gasoline, diesel, jet-fuel, kerosene and poly-propylene for local consumption and also have surplus of each of the products for export,” he said.
On employment generation, he disclosed that over 30,000 people are currently working at petroleum Refinery project sites through various contractors noting that when operational, the refinery will generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for the youths.
On local content development, Edwin said the company had trained over 600 artisans selected from the host communities in the areas of masonry, AC electricians, plumbing, welding, iron bending and auto mechanics.
The refinery design, according to the company, conforms to World Bank, United States (US), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union (EU), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) standards.
Edwin added that “Dangote industries has developed a port and constructed quays with a loading bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/sq meters to bring Over Dimensional Cargoes close to the site directly to handle liquid cargoes.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery maintains high standards for all its business practices, valuing health, safety, environment and rights for its employees, compliances with all applicable local and international laws, and being a committed partner to communities, governments and the environment.”
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